A new fundraising campaign wants people to support the LGBTQ
community by purchasing rainbow-themed bow ties.

But #Bows4Pride, which aims to sell 10,000 rainbow-colored
bow ties in support of the LGBTQ community, is more than just a fundraiser.
Organizers said that it's also a way for supporters to put their advocacy on
display and bring awareness to equality and human rights.

"The bow tie is a
conversation piece," said Hendrik Pohl, a straight ally who's owner and
founder of San Francisco-based neckwear designer Bows-N-Ties. "It's like a
billboard fighting for LGBTQ rights, and right now with what's happened with
the election, it's more important than ever."

He was referring to the Trump administration
and its many anti-gay officials who have started to rescind LGBTQ policies
around schools and other areas.

The microfiber checks and plaid bow ties, designed by
Bows-N-Ties, go on sale May 22, which also happens to be the eighth annual
observance of Harvey Milk Day.

Retailing at $25, 100 percent of the proceeds of the
campaign will equally support three nonprofits: the San Francisco LGBT Community
Center; Free2Luv, a Seattle organization spreading equality and anti-bullying
messages through arts and entertainment; and SAGE, the country's largest and
oldest agency dedicated to improving the lives of older LGBTs.

For the fourth year in a row, Bows-N-Ties has designed
products for fundraisers supporting various charitable organizations like the San
Francisco Peninsula Camellia Society for veterans and organizations
facilitating clean water projects in Africa. But this year, with the equality
of LGBTQ people being threatened and increasing rhetoric advocating exclusion
and hate being spread by the right-wing, Pohl said he felt it was especially
important to bring awareness and support to the community.

He chose the nonprofits due to the significant and varied
support they offer communities in their area.

"This will directly impact
our community," said Alberto Lammers, director of communications for the LGBT
community center, which offers more than 200 programs on housing, employment,
education, and more to around 10,000 people monthly. "The center is a safe
space for everybody, not just LGBTs. We wanted to honor the entire community
with this item."

Lammers said the bow tie is a way
to educate the community about the center's resources and that even if the
campaign doesn't reach its goal of $250,000, education is more valuable than a
monetary reward.

"It opens doors for community
members to learn more about the things we can offer them," he said.

Free2Luv, which focuses on
empowering LGBT youth, was chosen for its capability to reach audiences
globally, advanced in part by its many celebrity ambassadors from
"Friends" star Lisa Kudrow to actress Vanessa Hudgens.

Tonya Sandis, co-founder and
president of Free2Luv, founded in 2011, said the #Bows4Pride campaign proceeds
will help fund Free2BeMe, an art installation that tells the story of self-discovery
and identity of youth from around the nation. Sandis hopes to bring the project
to San Francisco and said partnerships like #Bows4Pride are incredibly
important in that they unite like-minded voices in a message that love is
stronger than hate.

"We love synergy and holding
hands with like-minded companies to make an impact on the community and give
fans the opportunity to show their pride. The more we can prove love is
stronger than hate the better," she said.

The #Bows4Pride campaign does not have an end date and Pohl
hopes it will continue well after San Francisco Pride weekend on June 24-25. Beginning
Monday, bow ties can be purchased at https://www.bows-n-ties.com/bows4pride/.